Jordan McCraeLiving in the bustling city of Auckland has its perks, but one of my absolute favorite aspects has to be the incredible food scene, especially here in West Auckland, my neck of the woods.
Now, I don’t know about you, but for me, there’s nothing quite like the excitement of discovering a new restaurant, eagerly anticipating the flavors that await and the experiences that unfold.
And let me tell you, West Auckland is a treasure trove of culinary delights just waiting to be explored.
From lazy weekend brunches to celebratory dinners, I’ve spent countless hours savoring the diverse array of cuisines and dining experiences this side of the city has to offer.
After much deliberation (and more than a few delicious meals), I’ve put together a list of the 10 absolute best restaurants in West Auckland.
So, if you’re ready to join me on a journey through the flavors of West Auckland, grab a napkin (you might drool a little), because things are about to get deliciously personal!
1. Little Sister Cafe
| Social media | https://www.facebook.com/littlesistercafe/ |
| Address | 91 Central Park Drive, Henderson, Auckland 0610, New Zealand |
| Phone | 64 9 836 0860 |
| Operating hours | Monday to Friday: 7 – 3 pm Saturday and Sunday: 7:30 – 3 pm |
| Must order | Vanilla Bean Hotcakes Mish Mash Hash Jamaican Jerk Chicken |
| Price range | $$ – average |
If it’s a quick brunch you’re after, Little Sister Cafe is one of the choices you can consider.
Their Vanilla Bean Hotcakes is one of the best-selling and must-try dishes. These fluffy clouds of goodness, topped with mango gel, lime mascarpone, and a whimsical touch of fairy floss, are what brunch dreams are made of.
It’s like a sweet symphony playing on your palate. But wait, it gets even better!
The Mish Mash Hash is like a warm hug on a plate – crispy potato hash, smoky bacon, spicy chorizo, and all the fixings, crowned with perfectly poached eggs and a generous drizzle of hollandaise. It’s comfort food at its finest.
2. Little Creatures
– Media Credit:iamartieward
| Website | https://littlecreatures.co.nz/ |
| Address | 2 Boundary Road, Hobsonville, Auckland 0616, New Zealand |
| Phone | 64 9 416 4416 |
| Operating hours | Monday to Saturday: 12 – 9 pm Sunday: 12 – 8 pm |
| Must order | Seafood Paella Lamb Tangine |
| Price range | $ – $$ – cheap – average |
Have you ever experienced stumbling upon a place that feels like it’s been waiting for you all your life? That’s exactly what will happen to you when you come to Little Creatures.
With its mix of modern and rustic decor, it feels like you’re in a well-loved living room. A place where you can feel the love and care that goes into every bite.
And speaking of bites, the “Seafood Paella” is a total game-changer here. It’s a dream come true for seafood lovers.
The paella is a masterpiece of layered ingredients, from succulent shrimp to plump mussels, all wrapped up in a creamy sauce that’s just out of this world. It’s a dish that makes you feel like you’re on a beach in Spain but without the need for a plane ticket.
3. Siamese Doll
| Website | http://www.siamesedoll.co.nz/ |
| Address | 3 Boundary Road, Hobsonville, Auckland 0616, New Zealand |
| Phone | 64 9 416 0333 |
| Operating hours | Tuesday to Thursday: 11:30 – 3 pm; 5:30 – 9 pm Friday: 11:30 – 3 pm; 5:30 – 10 pm Saturday: 11 – 3 pm; 5:30 – 10 pm Sunday: 11 – 3 pm; 5:30 – 9 pm |
| Must order | Pad Thai Green Curry Tom Yum Soup |
| Price range | $ – $$ – cheap – average |
If you’re up for some Southeast Asian dishes, you can have your eyes on the Siamese doll. They do so well when it comes to authentic Thai cuisine.
One of the dishes that’s a hit with everyone is Pad Thai – those perfectly cooked noodles, the juicy shrimp, and the crunchy peanuts – all swimming in that irresistible sweet and tangy sauce. Trust me, one bite, and you’ll be transported to flavor paradise!
But it doesn’t stop there!
You can’t leave without trying the Green Curry. Made with a mix of coconut milk, green curry paste, and a veggie medley that’ll make your heart sing, it’s a dish that’s as comforting as it is crave-worthy.
4. Piccolina
| Website | http://piccolina.co.nz/ |
| Address | 610 Rosebank Road, Avondale, Auckland 1026, New Zealand |
| Phone | 64 9 820 0936 |
| Operating hours | Monday to Friday: 6 – 3 pm |
| Must order | Spaghetti Carbonara Osso Buco alla Milanese Lasagna alla Bolognese |
| Price range | $ – $$ – cheap – average |
You know how sometimes you just need a slice of Italy right here in West Auckland? That’s exactly what Piccolina is for.
Marco and Lucia, the owners, are incredible people who just love food and sharing it with others. Their place is like stepping into a comfy Italian home, with all the charm and character you’d expect from a traditional Italian restaurant.
Now, when it comes to the menu, it’s amazing and mouthwatering.
The Spaghetti Carbonara is a staple here, and for good reason. We’re talking about the spaghetti that’s cooked to absolute perfection and draped in the creamiest, most heavenly sauce you imagine.
And then there’s the Lasagna alla Bolognese — layers of pasta, rich tomato sauce, and a blend of cheeses that just melt in your mouth. It’s a dish that’s so good that you’ll be dreaming about it for days.
5. Bodrum Kitchen – Mission Bay
| Website | http://www.bodrumkitchen.co.nz/ |
| Address | 81 Tamaki Drive, Mission Bay, Auckland 1071, New Zealand |
| Phone | 64 9 578 1265 |
| Operating hours | Monday to Friday: 8:30 – 9 pm Saturday: 8 – 10 pm Sunday: 8 – 9 pm |
| Must order | Brewer’s Platter Pulled Pork BurgerLamb Shank Pie |
| Price range | $$ – average |
Let’s spice things up a bit at Bodrum Kitchen in Mission Bay, where you can enjoy some Mediterranean, Turkish, and Middle Eastern cuisine all in one place!
Here, the Brewer’s Platter is basically a carnivore’s dream come true. It comes with a tantalizing assortment of cured meats, artisan cheeses, and pickles, all piled high on a rustic wooden platter.
It’s the kind of spread that makes you want to grab a slice of bread, load it up, and savor every single bite.
But then, if you think it can’t get any better, you can go for the Pulled Pork Burger. Juicy pulled pork, tangy coleslaw, crispy pickles, and barbecue sauce all sandwiched between pillowy soft buns – it’s like a flavor explosion in your mouth!
6. Chikos Restaurant & Cafe
| Website | http://www.chikosrestaurant.co.nz/ |
| Address | 7/255 Lincoln Road, Henderson, Auckland 0610, New Zealand |
| Phone | 64 9 972 9847 |
| Operating hours | Monday and Tuesday: 5 – 9 pm Thursday to Sunday: 11 – 3 pm; 5 – 9 pm |
| Must order | Signature BBQ Pork Ribs Bicolandia Angus Beef Cheek |
| Price range | $$ – average |
Surely, there are a bunch of elegant casual dining restaurants in the city, but this eatery offers Pacific Rim Fusion cuisine with New Zealand’s finest and freshest produce.
Their Signature BBQ Pork Ribs are a highlight. Who can resist tender ribs glazed with a sticky, sweet, and spiced concoction?
Every bite is a symphony of taste sensations, perfectly balanced with a side of sesame cabbage-daikon salad and your choice of ginger-infused rice or crispy French fries. It’s the kind of dish that’ll have you licking your fingers shamelessly!
Next on the hit list is Bicolandia – succulent pork belly simmered in a coconut chili shrimp broth, served with a side of wilted sesame kale, ginger rice, and a sprinkle of red onion, all wrapped up in a tortilla for that perfect bite every time.
7. Deco Eatery
| Website | http://www.decoeatery.co.nz/ |
| Address | 418 Titirangi Road, Titirangi, Auckland 0604, New Zealand |
| Phone | 64 9 817 2664 |
| Operating hours | Monday to Sunday: 7 – 10 pm |
| Must order | Deco Rosti Benedict Souvlaki Open Wrap Lahmajun |
| Price range | $$ – average |
Another great contender for Mediterranean and Turkish cuisine is Deco Eatery at Lopdell House.
If you happen to swing by in the morning, you can dive into their Deco Rosti Benedict. I mean, who can say no to perfectly poached eggs lounging atop crispy rosti, smothered in creamy hollandaise?
And here’s the best part: You get to customize it to your heart’s content. Either you’re up for savory bacon and a side of juicy tomatoes or salmon with mushrooms, they’ve got you covered.
8. Mr. Zhou’s Dumplings
– Media credit:my.kiwi.foodie.adventures/
| Website | https://mrzhousdumplings-mteden.tuckerfox.co.nz/ |
| Address | 839 Mount Eden Road, Mount Eden, Auckland 1024, New Zealand |
| Phone | 64 9 638 3268 |
| Operating hours | Tuesday to Sunday: 11:30 – 10 pm |
| Must order | Pork Mince and Chives Dumpling Spring Onion Pancake Braised Beef and Pickled Cabbage with Noodles in Soup |
| Price range | $$ – average |
For Chinese food cravings, you might want to consider Mr. Zhou’s Dumplings.
Their Pork Mince and Chives Dumpling is a must-try dish. Each delicate parcel is lovingly crafted by hand, bursting with savory goodness that’ll have you reaching for seconds (and maybe thirds!).
And for those noodle lovers out there, you simply cannot go wrong with the Braised Beef and Pickled Cabbage with Noodles in Soup.
It’s comfort in a bowl, with tender beef, tangy cabbage, and slurp-worthy noodles all swimming in a rich, flavorful broth. Just thinking about it will make your mouth water!
9. Bodega
| Website | http://www.bodegaeatery.co.nz/ |
| Address | 99 Parrs Cross Road, Henderson, Auckland 0612, New Zealand |
| Phone | 64 9 835 9904 |
| Operating hours | Wednesday to Saturday: 10 – 10 pm Sunday: 10 – 8 pm |
| Must order | Tapas Paella Pecan Pie |
| Price range | $ – $$ – cheap – average |
Bodega Eatery is such an underrated restaurant that serves Spanish and Mediterranean-style food with a New Zealand twist in West Auckland.
It has a relaxed countryside atmosphere, great indoor seating, and an outdoor patio that feels like you’re stepping into a friend’s farmhouse for a feast.
As per the menu, the Tapas selection will drool you with anticipation. You won’t resist ordering a little bit of everything: croquettes, patatas bravas, chorizo, cheese – you name it!
But the real showstopper is the Paella – a true masterpiece of Spanish cuisine, and Bodega does it justice and then some.
It’s a massive skillet filled to the brim with saffron-infused rice, tender chicken, and plump seafood. And the aroma that wafts from that skillet? It’s enough to make your mouth water from across the room.
10. Hare and Turtle
| Website | https://www.hareandtheturtle.com/ |
| Address | 1/63 New Windsor Road, New Windsor, Auckland 0600, New Zealand |
| Phone | 64 9 828 2344 |
| Operating hours | Monday to Friday: 7 – 2 pm Saturday and Sunday: 8 – 1 pm |
| Must order | Boomer Baloney Smokey Bro |
| Price range | $$ – average |
Can’t have a list of West Auckland restaurants without Hare and Turtle! It’s a cozy café that serves New Zealand cuisine with a variety of dishes, such as rolls, beef sandwiches, smoked fish, cinnamon rolls, and pizza.
But here’s where things get really exciting: the Boomer. It features a fried free-range egg, glistening with tangy BBQ sauce, all snuggled up on their fluffy house bun.
You get to customize it with melted USA cheese, crispy hash browns, or crispy bacon.
Another customer’s favorite that you need to try on is Baloney. I know what you’re thinking – this is no ordinary sandwich.
We’re talking NZ mortadella, oozing melted mozzarella, zesty pickled onions, and a dollop of dijon and mayo, all sandwiched between two slices of heaven – I mean, their house bun. It’s a flavor explosion that’ll leave you craving more with every bite.
